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The Scourge from Carthage - Part VI

The Scourge from Carthage - Part VI

Released Tuesday, 30th January 2024
Good episode? Give it some love!
The Scourge from Carthage - Part VI

The Scourge from Carthage - Part VI

The Scourge from Carthage - Part VI

The Scourge from Carthage - Part VI

Tuesday, 30th January 2024
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Episode Transcript

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0:00

Nocturne Hall presents an original audio drama intended only for an adult audience.

0:08

Devils walk among us. Some just a mile north of the White House. Whether conjured or elected,

0:19

they prey on the innocent all the same. Most won't even listen,

0:25

so folks knock on the one door in the district of crime who will. Dupont Investigations.

0:38

[Music: I never thought my heart would mend] [Music: You taught me how to love again]

0:42

[Music: It's you and me until the end] [Music: Oh, we?ll paint this whole town red]

0:49

[Music: Just the devils, the devils of Dupont] [Music: Just the devils, the devils of Dupont]

1:03

This is The Scourge from Carthage Part 6. [RAIN DOWNPOURING]

1:12

C'mon, let's try to hail a cab. I need to return to my office.

1:16

Wait, I thought we were headed straight to the Cairo?

1:19

I wouldn't dare at this stage. I don't understand.

1:23

There's one with its lights still on. [THE CAR SLOWS, PUSHING WATER]

1:28

Where to? Dupont Circle.

1:31

All right, get in. [THE CAR DOOR OPENS. RAIN ON CAR ROOF]

1:34

You, gents, are lucky. I was just about to turn out my light. I'm an usher for tomorrow's Easter service.

1:44

Why are we stopping there first?

1:47

I need to consult an old tome.

1:50

Classic. Well, you enjoy your tome. I'm ready to crack some skulls.

1:55

Why so eager? You know something I don't?

1:57

Sure. I knew Phillip Steeples. If Abe thought

2:02

Phillip was at the end of his morphine dependence, then there's one bastard

2:06

responsible--and it sure as heck ain't Phillip.

2:08

Nice hunch, but what facts do you have to go on?

2:11

Calder kicked his habit but has no problem procuring dope for Phillip.

2:14

Meaning what? Calder had intimate knowledge of the junk--morphine's like any  medicine. You can take it a few ways orally,

2:21

with varying degrees of absorption. If we assume Abe was right about Phillip being almost totally

2:26

weaned off the tablets, the simplest method of jolting his system would be intravenous delivery.

2:31

Please don't tell me you think-- No, I don't think Calder jabbed  him in the arm. I think he unloaded that syringe into a drink and served

2:39

it up like the wolf in sheep's clothing he is.

2:41

Devious bastard, if that's how it played out.

2:45

What, you think Irma's still the mastermind?

2:47

Eh, she's got the smarts for it but perhaps not the heart.

2:54

But it's one aspect missing in this case.

2:56

That's because there's more to this clam bake than meets the eye.

3:01

Is this an alright spot to plop you, gents?

3:04

Sure. I'll get it this time.

3:07

[DOOR OPENS. RAINFALL] Keep it. And enjoy your service tomorrow.

3:10

Thanks, sir. God bless. [DOORS CLOSE]

3:12

How long do you need with your tome? As long as you can give me, why?

3:16

I'd like to check out the Cairo. Maybe visit with the manager, and see what I can gather about Calder's movements.

3:28

Abe's bit about the shadowy figure staring over Phillip's got me more than spooked.

3:33

Come now. Are you worried more about a ghost than Calder Evans?

3:38

I'm not sure it is a ghost. Before you go over there, you should stop by the Mayflower and grab your piece.

3:50

afraid of this guy anyway? You jumped him once before with nothing but a toilet roll holder.

3:55

Hey, you're the one that almost got popped by a gunsel earlier.

3:58

I thought it was a warning shot? And speaking of a different kind of gunsel--

4:02

Oh, I know. Honest Abe had me tearing up. I didn't see it coming. Not from him.

4:08

I'm surprised by Phillip's choices. Nah, I get it. Handsome lad. Plays the sax. Didn't remind Phillip of the past he ran away from.

4:18

Abe Rhodes was his new beginning. He was. [TRANSITION MUSIC. PAGE TURN]

4:30

Baaras root? [THE TELEPHONE RINGS ONCE. THE RECEIVER IS  PICKED UP] Dupont Investigations.

4:37

It's me. You won't believe this place.

4:40

Are you in Phillip's room? The one I told you not to--

4:48

They took out the area rug too, but she didn't mention any symbols chalked onto the flooring.

4:53

What symbols? The spooky kind. Arranged in a circular pattern.

4:57

Get outta there. Why? You don't think our  Roman ghost will show if I stay?

5:01

It's not her I'm worried about. [DEEP BASS]

5:04

No. I'll meet you at the corner of 17th and Q. I need to run an errand first.

5:11

What? At this hour? Yeah. We ain't taking another step before it.

5:15

Alright. See you soon. [TRANSITION MUSIC. LIGHT RAIN]

5:26

Where we headed? First stop is a little shop down the street. You shouldn't have gone into that room alone.

5:33

One minute you're a skeptic, and the next paranoid.

5:37

You don't get it, Nige. This ain't some fire pit kiddie tale we're dealing with.

5:41

What is it then? We're here.

5:44

[STOREFRONT DOOR OPENS. BELL RINGS] Ah, iyi akşamlar, Torsten Paşa. Hoşgeldiniz.

5:49

Hoşbulduk, Evren. Thanks for opening  up this late for us. I promise it's important. Are we awaiting Kadir Bey?

5:57

No, my father entrusted me with handling your order alone. He says you always seek the strangest items.

6:05

I believe it's sort of a test.

6:08

Ahh, I see. Evren, I'd like you to meet my associate, Mr. Nigel Clemmons.

6:13

Evren Gültekin. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Clemmons.

6:19

Likewise. So, how can I help you, gentleman?

6:24

We're after something called a Baaras root. Ever heard of it?

6:33

My friend, you folks never disappoint. Please don't make this time your first.

6:38

May I ask what need you have of Baaras?

6:41

Bir şeytan için. Ah, bu doğru mu?

6:45

Doğru. What? Var bende Baaras. But be careful, Torsten Paşa.

6:51

What's this thing for? I'll fill you in on the way.

6:53

Way to where? The Krause residence. Kardeşim, how much for the root?

6:59

Baaras very rare. Do you know how it is extracted?

7:04

With much difficulty. And death.

7:06

Death?! Yes, Mr. Clemmons. A dog was sacrificed to retrieve this precious root. It is a hard thing to put a price on.

7:17

Yet, here we are tryin' to buy it, so if you had to part with it--

7:21

Three hundred. For a root!

7:23

He's right. Three Cs is pushing it, even for Baaras.

7:26

Two-fifty. Two-twenty-five. Final offer.

7:31

Hmm, okay, Torsten Paşa. But I regret I must ask for immediate payment.

7:38

You don't have a line of credit here? Seems like you're a regular.

7:41

Torsten Paşa is one of our best customers actually.

7:45

It's not that my friend here doesn't think I'm good for it--just afraid I

7:49

might not last long enough to settle my tab.

7:52

What? [WRESTLING OF PAPER BAG]

7:55

Here you are. Teşekkürler. Hoşça kal. G le g le kullan dicem de,

7:59

Güle güle kullan dicem de, şeytana gidiyorsun. Kolay gelsin. [THE STOREFRONT DOOR OPENS. RINGING OF BELL]

8:08

Good, the rain's cleared up. So why's this thingamajig worth two Cs and a quarter?

8:16

We hailing this cab or what? Nah. It's a short walk. I'd prefer to  get my head straight on the way. And it's time you understood what we might be walking into.

8:25

What do you think we'll find at the judge's house?

8:28

Rhodes had the right idea about Calder seeking out the closest connection to his ghost. But Phillip's room wasn't it.

8:35

But Abe told us about Phillip's strange  mumblings while suffering from withdrawal there.

8:40

Could just be a natural part of kicking the dope.

8:42

And the shadow figure? That's the type of thing that sticks with a person, not a place.

8:47

So you suspect something else? That's right.

8:49

So, if an ancient Roman ghost didn't visit Phillip, then by who? Or what?

8:55

Something far more powerful than a specter.

8:58

What do you mean? You said you were raised Methodist. How would you rate your current reverence?

9:04

I'm no scholar like you. No, I'm talking piety, not biblical literacy.

9:08

If you're asking if I'm still a believer, the answer's yes.

9:10

Good. That's what I wanted to hear.

9:13

That's an awfully personal question. What about you?

9:17

Me. Ah, I'm both a believer and a skeptic.

9:19

You said before you believed stuff other folks wouldn't.

9:22

Let me ask when Christ was crucified, do you believe he suffered on the cross?

9:27

I didn't know there was even a question about it.

9:29

Oh, sure. Not anymore. In the fourth century,

9:32

the Council of Nicaea adopted the Nicene Creed. It established all the mainstream doctrines we

9:38

know today, like the holy trinity.

9:40

I've heard of the Nicene Creed. Well, at the start of the fourth century, Roman Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan,

9:47

decriminalizing Christianity. Before then, I'm sure you are familiar with stories of

9:52

Romans persecuting Christians. Feeding them to lions, sure.

9:55

It's within that timespan when many of the mainstream doctrines we accept today were

10:00

fiercely debated among Christians. One of those topics included whether

10:05

Christ suffered on the cross. It may seem straightforward, but what do you

10:09

make of Christ rising from the dead?

10:11

What do you mean? What do I think? Did he die, and his body refilled with life? Or did he appear to others more like a ghost?

10:19

Never gave it too much thought. Not many do. Some early Christians believed

10:24

he may not have suffered due to his ability to transform into something else, and when he arose,

10:32

he did so more as an angel or phantom.

10:35

I never heard that in Church.

10:38

In the Gospels, Christ appears and disappears to his disciples like a

10:42

phantom but also breaks bread and invites them to touch his flesh to prove he's real.

10:49

So, there's no straightforward answer. Quite the opposite. In defending the

10:53

position that Christ suffered and returned as flesh and blood, Ignatius of Antioch claimed

10:59

Christ urged his disciples to feel his flesh to prove he was no bodiless demon.

11:06

Demon? A malevolent spirit lacking human form. Christ was even accused of being possessed by a demon in the Gospel of John.

11:15

Wait, you're telling me you believe in demons?

11:18

You told me you believe in Jesus Christ.

11:21

So do a lot of folks. I'm not begrudging you for it. Perpetua and her companions believed in him enough to get slaughtered by the Romans.

11:29

I thought you said we're not dealing with her anymore.

11:31

We're not. Who knows what Calder saw over in France and French Tunisia? It might have been her. Who knows?

11:38

In Calder's journal, he mentioned how the column capped with a cross erected

11:43

in honor of her martyrdom glowed when she disappeared at Carthage's ruined amphitheater.

11:49

And still, he turned to the Theosophists for answers.

11:53

Not the brightest bulb in the box.

11:55

Not like Phillip. No, Phillip connected all the dots, but their combined devotion to bringing her

12:03

to his aid wasn't just misguided. It was lethal--and it still is.

12:10

What, you mean a demon is responsible for Phillip's death?

12:15

A Christian scholar and contemporary of Perpetua named Tertullian claimed nere a Christian in

12:21

Carthage was unaffected by a demon. He also asserted demons disguised themselves as souls of the dead, driving folks to premature deaths.

12:32

So you think Phillip saw Perpetua, but it wasn't Perpetua?

12:40

Then who was it? Clement of Alexandria claimed the Greco-Roman gods were never gods but demons in disguise. Through their incredible abilities,

12:50

demons tricked the masses into making sacrifices in their names. Although they lack bodies like

12:56

you or I, Clement claimed they gorged off the smoke and meat of carcasses prepared for ritual

13:02

sacrifice and supped the sacrificial wine. With  such nourishment, they grew powerful and continued their vile reign over humanity.

13:14

Of course. And for ages, they dwelled in the upper echelons of power, moving from one vassal's

13:20

household to another. Even then, some sought their aid to expand the boundaries of their

13:26

realms. Bring fortune, and ensure a good crop.

13:30

Birth sons to carry on the line. Right.

13:33

But we don't have any of that now? Though I suppose there are still a few remaining crowns.

13:39

No, it's not the crowns they chased. It's the sacrifices. In the last century, we sent children into factories and

13:47

didn't question when their little bodies never made it out once the whistle blew. Heck, Irish and Chinese laborers went up in

13:54

smoke to build our railroads. We all see more and more sacrifice from those working for joke wages,

14:02

struggling just to make ends meet. And at the top, old pharaoh's in charge once more. Only

14:09

he's traded the largest pyramid for the tallest skyscraper.

14:13

The other titans of industries sit around boardrooms arguing about their affairs like the Olympus of old. True,

14:20

we may not have temples or ziggurats like we used to, but these days, demons have plenty to chew on.

14:29

But they're not being worshiped like before.

14:32

No? What do you think the fat cats of industry

14:35

worship more than being in black instead of red every quarter? The Steeples and the like built

14:40

empires off the backs of enslaved Africans, and even after being freed, those folks still work for

14:47

a pittance. And god knows how many perished to build what's here in Washington alone.

14:53

Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

15:00

Now you see where I get my skepticism about the Bible.

15:03

You're all over the place. You believe in demons but not our Lord and Savior?

15:08

I didn't say I didn't believe in the guy. I'm just skeptical that the church got all the facts

15:13

straight. The Vatican did enough editing to make yellow journalism seem tame by comparison. And

15:19

they threw away a whole mess of good reads.

15:22

What? Heresies? Heresies, shmarisies. Knowledge is power. And I intend to use it.

15:28

[CROWS ARE CROWING LOUDLY] What's your plan, then? We're almost there.

15:35

You probably think Christ invented exorcisms?

15:38

I don't recall them mentioned before the Gospels.

15:40

Eh, King Saul had his moment, but for the most part, they're absent. Still, Christ wasn't the first

15:46

to bark a few lines at a damn demon to get 'em to scram. There are old litanies in numerous texts.

15:54

So, you plan to yell at it?

15:56

No, mine's much wiser, but I still might yell at it.

16:01

The good thing for you is Tertullian of Carthage wrote true believers in Christ held

16:06

some sway over demons. So, as I said before, I'm not knockin' your beliefs. On the contrary,

16:12

I'm envious. I wish I could wield my faith to spear this devil, but when I've tried

16:17

before, it's almost gotten me killed.

16:20

You mean we're walking into an exorcism?

16:23

You bore witness to a human sacrifice.

16:27

Hell. You mean Phillip?

16:29

Yup. And that's the reason you couldn't follow the mint green. There's one thing

16:34

that outranks it--unbridled power. When you have it, you don't dare share it.

16:40

You think that's why Calder took a shot at me?

16:43

You heard Abe. Said he became fanatical.

16:47

But I thought Phillip was his meal ticket.

16:49

Those strange symbols you found in Phillip's apartment. That wasn't for no ghost. Calder serves a new master now.

16:57

For  how long is anyone's guess? The tricky thing is he may not even recognize it yet.

17:02

You said demons are deceptive. So, I take it this isn't your first exorcism?

17:09

I've been to exorcisms but I've never played exorcist.

17:13

Then what the heck are we doing here? You ever heard of Ephesus along the Turkish Aegean coast?

17:19

Maybe. At one point, a plague afflicted the whole city. Apollonius of Tyana discovered the root cause. It

17:27

wasn't an environmental problem, like a poisoned well, or an epidemic like the Spanish Flu. No,

17:34

the origin was a primordial evil hosted within the body of an old beggar outside the city's theater.

17:40

The plague emanated from this creature, and the people suffered. Many had died. Do you have

17:46

any idea what they did to rid themselves of it?

17:49

They stoned it.

17:52

That worked? Sure, until out of its dead mouth emerged a mangey rabid dog that scurried off into the night.

18:01

Bananas. Humans have been facing off against the evil we're about to face for eons. They used any tool they could muster.

18:12

And when that didn't work? Some bargained with them rather than succumb to their will.

18:17

Now, I know you doubt much of what I've told you to be true. I understand

18:22

there's nothing to prepare you for the reality we are about to face. But up those steps, we will

18:29

encounter an inhuman force of unspeakable power. It will deceive us and attempt to divide us.

18:37

Torsten. Are those eyes glowing red? I'm not seeing things right.

18:44

On the lion fountain. Yeah. Your eyes don't deceive you. It's here, alright.

18:59

[DISTANT CHURCH BELLS]

19:05

Great. We're right on time.

19:08

For what? It's Easter Sunday now. If it still fears Christ, then Easter may weaken its resolve. But remember,

19:17

we live in a more inhuman world than ever before. Make no mistake. Electric lines run

19:22

to the house. Invisible waves transmit from dozens of miles away, transforming into radio

19:27

programs. We are more at risk of deception than ever before, for we must discern our reality

19:34

from the one it wants us to see, hear, or feel. This is a thing without a body,

19:41

but it can use any one of ours. It can also make the doorbell ring or the phonograph play a record.

19:49

How are you so calm about all of this?

19:52

We all go someday. If my end is tryin'

19:55

to send a devil back to hell, well, buster, deal me in. Life's a one-way ticket either way.

20:03

You'd risk your life to save Calder after what he's done?

20:07

Calder? Remember Ephesus. This ends with us tonight, or Phillip is the first of many more

20:14

victims. The devil's loose in Washington. I can only imagine the destruction if its power

20:22

grows--why, it's unimaginable.

20:25

Bananas.

20:27

Remember, whatever happens in there, don't forget yourself. And memorize this:

20:34

Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

20:38

Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

20:41

[Musical Chanting]

20:52

I'll snap my fingers. That's your cue. Now let's knock on this door with the vigor of Luther

20:57

nailing his thesis. On three. Two. [POUNDING ON THE DOOR]

21:01

Open up, or we'll break it down. Again. [POUNDING ON THE DOOR. DOOR OPENS]

21:08

Careful. This is private property.

21:11

Look. There on the table. The journal and--the Manuscript.

21:14

Did she send you to collect these? Ha. You misunderstand. Irma was making a terrible  mistake.

21:22

We've uncovered the greatest mystery in history. It's not the sort of thing one publishes.

21:28

It's a shame Phillip isn't here to enjoy your discovery.

21:31

It is indeed. For he would be astonished at the outcome. We've broken the barrier

21:37

between the living and the dead. [HARD SLAP ACROSS THE FACE]

21:40

You Bastard. Phillip was about to beat the dope. Why'd you ruin it for him?

21:45

I did as she instructed. She said he was weak. That only her words could heal him

21:51

for good. That he needed to return to a state of withdrawal to reach her.

21:57

Nice dinner party, by the looks of it. Just the two of you? Let me guess roast pork.

22:03

How did you know? Lucky guess.

22:06

Burning black candles on Easter? You a Theosophist or Satanist?

22:11

I resent the implication. Where's your host?

22:14

Look, Torsten. She's on the patio.

22:16

Of course. [SCRAMBLING] Stop right there. [THE GLASS DOOR OPENS]

22:30

She's set on climbing the ladder. Don't you see it?

22:34

No. Neither do I,  but it's there, all right. She sees it. Just as Phillip saw it at the same spot, it's no

22:41

wonder he lost his footing, though. With all that booze coursing through his veins, I'm astounded

22:45

poor Phillip ever made it off the parlor divan.

22:48

Climb, my dear, don't pay any attention to them.

22:51

But it's a terrible height from which to fall.

22:54

Listen, Irma, you might believe it's the same ladder as the one Calder climbed

22:57

to escape the trenches in France, but I swear to you it isn't. Come. Step away.

23:05

Why I bet Phillip climbed eleven stories before he came crashing down. Or was he thrown down?

23:25

Silence! Don't trust him, Irma. This wild goose chase was worth more to him than Phillip's life.

23:32

Do you think he regards yours with any greater value?

23:35

I'm sure you've heard Calder's tale. Phillip gave his life in blind faith for it but come

23:39

now. Perpetua's whole rag doesn't hold up.

23:41

Hold up?! A noble young Roman woman, writing away in the amphitheater stocks.

23:47

She wasn't the sole author of the martyrs' account.

23:50

Of course, but you buy that she penned those visions herself? What, the Romans rounded up

23:54

the catechumens but then allowed their deacons visiting hours? No, it just doesn't add up.

23:59

If the Romans were so down on the Christians, why'd they suddenly soften their stance? And,

24:04

of course, wasn't a few of them being enslaved convenient? Almost like Tertullian penned the

24:08

whole thing to get Romans thinking Christians held no distinction between those enslaved and

24:13

noble citizens. All enter heaven as equals as long as they bow down and await their slaughter.

24:18

Lies. My dear, don't listen to them.

24:21

One thing's for sure, no one gets to heaven climbing a ladder straight from hell.

24:25

[KRAUSE SCREAMS] Holy Perpetua, is that you?

24:33

Alright, let's say Perpetua's yarn was genuine. Then, do you know who lamented Perpetua's

24:37

martyrdom the most? It wasn't the public, not even her family. No, it was the consort of Baal-Hamon,

24:44

the chief god of Carthage.

24:46

Master, command me. I am your servant.

24:51

Shut it, you bastard. [HARD SLAP] I get it. You bowed down to this demon long ago. She demanded Phillip as a sacrifice. And

24:57

now she's hungry for another young soul. And what did she promise you in return?

25:01

Don't you recognize being granted an audience with such an exaulted being?

25:07

She looks like hell. Sounds like it too. She promise you fame, fortune, that which you wanted

25:12

most in life but couldn't attain? You don't know what it's like to be  a useless fool. Every night awakening

25:21

drenched in sweat, hearing the ringing cries of fallen comrades who died in your arms.

25:29

Perpetua may have saved my life, but what a life to save.

25:33

What am I but a thief, a swindler, a poor tradesman, a wretch--without a penny to my name?

25:41

We get but one life, gentlemen. I choose to make the most of mine. Oh, exaulted one.

25:49

Let us be done with these pests. Destroy them. [KRAUSE HOWLS]

25:53

Not so fast, your grace. No creature so powerful heeds the rash commands of mortal men. Although,

25:59

my, how times have changed. Tens of thousands used to pray to you. I bet you can almost still

26:05

smell the charred olive wood they used in your pyres. And, they didn't just bring you

26:09

a hog like your feast tonight. No, for mortals revered you enough to offer up their youngest

26:14

child on your altar for sacrifice. But, oh, how you've fallen. Have you stooped so low

26:21

to taking the lives of young men and women full of promise, on the brink of happiness?

26:26

Hold thy peace, and come out of her. [KRAUSE LAUGHS. BLAST. CRASH AGAINST WALL]

26:31

I'll be fine. Although, I bet that line worked better for Jesus of Nazareth.

26:37

Sure did, but you've got balls, kid. Don't fret I got this.

26:42

So, he called you, exhalted one, huh? Well, I bear an offering, but on one condition. Tell me,

26:49

exaulted one, how long has it been since you smelt the root of Baaras?

26:54

[SNIFFING] Only one with such

26:56

an illustrious pallet could know the delicacy I offer. But, in exchange, I would be remiss

27:01

if I did not oblige thee to leave this man unscathed and to depart this realm with haste.

27:07

Oh, how I know thou desires to inhale this

27:10

treasured root. For how long hast thee awaited its auspicious odor? A century or more, a millennium?

27:17

Give it over. Not so fast. You have my terms.

27:21

Agreed. Let us have it, Torsten, son of Sven.

27:28

Take a big whiff, sister. [DEEP INHALATION]

27:31

You hold no dominion here. I adjure you,

27:36

Tanit, Chief Goddess of Carthage, begone. Depart from this gal and go back from whence you came.

27:45

Use its name this time. Cruel Tanit. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Hold thy peace, and come out of her.

27:53

[WHISTLING SCREAM. BLAST. SPLASH OF WATER]

28:07

Alright. [DRAGGING PERSON OUT OF POOL. WATER SPLASHES. COUGHING]

28:21

Heavens. I don't remember taking a dip in the pool.

28:25

What's the last thing you do remember?

28:27

A fine dinner with roast ham. Then we cheered to something in Latin. The next thing I know, I'm in the damn pool.

28:38

Torsten. Sorry, sister. Gotta check on this crumb over there. [HEELS ON PAVEMENT]

28:44

You need something to keep pressure on the-- He's a goner.

28:47

As Sophocles would say, "There is a point at which even justice does injury."

28:53

You mean he's dead?! Sister, don't feel so bad. He was trying to turn you into a human sacrifice.

28:57

I think I may faint. When you come to your senses, better prepare yourself an alibi. Just cause we

29:03

knocked your horns off doesn't mean you aren't still a fucking devil.

29:06

C'mon, Nige. Leave her be. Say, you're right. These bricks are

29:11

broken. Phillip must've hit hard here.

29:14

It wasn't the climb that killed him. It was his faith these jackals wished to help him change.

29:21

[THEME MUSIC. DOWN TEMPO JAZZ MUSIC. CLOCK TICKING]

29:38

Lilah's waiting for me at the coroner's office. But I wanted to thank you for

29:43

all you've done. I admit being part of all this . . . well, it changes a man.

29:50

I know. Bring Phillip home to his folks. Maybe then they can find some peace. But afterward,

29:58

you should consider returning. We could go into business together.

30:02

What Clemmons & Somersby? How about Somersby and Sons?

30:07

Ha ha ha. Like a piano maker? No, I like Dupont Investigations just fine.

30:13

Will you at least consider it? Sure, I'll give it some thought. But I don't want to encounter any more demons.

30:20

Ha ha ha. No guarantees, but most of Washington's devils wear mohair suits and get reelected every two years.

30:27

Them, I'd have no problem slugging. I mean it, though.

30:31

I couldn't have done any of this without you.

30:34

Ah, don't go soft on me all of a sudden. Come here. I know. [HUG. PAT ON BACK]

30:39

I never thought taking a job would cause me to lose him. He was my first.

30:44

Take it from me, Nige. First loves make fools of us all.

30:50

You're the only man I've met who I've told all of this. And you've treated me with nothing but respect.

30:58

Everyone deserves respect and dignity. Once we've lost sight of that--

31:05

There now. Hold your head high. Your journey isn't over yet. Return Phillip to his folks,

31:12

knowing you solved the case. Tell them the truth, though they won't be able to believe it.

31:19

"How do you know I'm mad?," said Alice.

31:22

"You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here." [KNOCK AT THE GLASS DOOR]

31:27

It's open. [THE OFFICE DOOR OPENS]

31:30

I better let you go. Safe travels, friend.

31:34

Good evening, Mr. Somersby. [THE OFFICE DOOR SHUTS]

31:37

Why, Ms. Axton?

31:40

Lady, you've got some nerve coming here--why I outta . . .

31:43

Before you tell me to scram-- Scram and go tell your editor at the Star to send someone else to cover this beat.

31:50

After all the trouble I had in finding this place.

31:53

Ohh, lemme guess, you forgot the office name. That's why Dupont Investigations never appeared in print.

31:59

Fine. If that's what it'll cost to get you to comment--

32:02

I'm through with reporters. Especially you.

32:05

Alright, but I thought I owed you an opportunity to comment on tomorrow's story

32:10

about a triple murder-suicide involving your former client.

32:14

Which client? The little girl thought to be possessed by the Archdiocese. Yet, before, you claimed otherwise.

32:22

I hadn't heard the grim news.

32:25

Sorry for bearing it, but the police suspect the little girl killed her parents and then herself.

32:32

At least, that's the detective's top theory, off the record, of course. Care to comment?

32:37

It figures--just my luck. I run to the press and call the parents hoaxsters,

32:43

and a devil visits her after all.

32:45

How do you know she wasn't just cross with her parents for claiming she was possessed?

32:49

I mean, they put her through all those painful medical procedures?

32:53

Sure, anything's possible. But, you see Ms. Axton,

32:57

I bargained with a devil earlier on behalf of another client. And you know what they say.

33:03

What's that? Payback is hell.

33:06

[OUTRO MUSIC]

33:15

Dupont Investigations is written by Marc Benjamin  Langston

33:18

and directed, edited, and sound-designed by Bryce Bowyn. Turkish editing by Gem Aydın.

33:24

Keep your ears in the 1930s by becoming a DUPONT INVESTIGATOR. Access our private

33:30

discord server "The Inside Scoop" or explore Torsten

33:34

Somersby's recovered case file by visiting nocturnehall.com/investigator

33:40

Dupont Investigations The Scourge from Carthage Part 6 features

33:45

Marc Benjamin Langston as TORSTEN SOMERSBY

33:48

Jacob Lowman as NIGEL CLEMMONS

33:51

Bryan Langston as DRIVER 2

33:53

Gem Aydın as EVREN GÜLTEKIN

33:57

Joshua Hall as CALDER EVANS

33:59

Kara Turner as IRMA KRAUSE

34:02

AND Kendall Lysek as VIVAN AXTON

34:05

The Original theme song, Devils of Dupont,

34:08

written and performed by Bryce Bowyn, is available wherever you stream music.

34:12

For individuals and families facing mental health or substance use disorders in the United States,

34:18

listeners can call the free, confidential National

34:21

Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. That's 1-800-662-H-E-L-P.

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